Deep Dive: White Noise (2020)
Film Lens

White Noise is a documentary directed by Daniel Lombroso that focuses on three prominent figures in the alt-right movement: Richard B. Spencer, Mike Cernovich, and Lauren Southern. The film examines their beliefs and the impact of their ideologies, particularly in the aftermath of the 2017 Unite the Right rally. Lombroso's interest in the alt-right was partly influenced by his family's history, as his grandparents survived the Holocaust. He aimed to understand why white-power ideology resonated with his generation.
The film features interviews with Spencer, who expresses concern about being blamed for violence, Cernovich, who admits to lacking a clear agenda, and Southern, who discusses her experiences with misogyny within the movement. Lombroso's approach involved building trust with these individuals over several years, allowing for an intimate look into their lives and the inner workings of the alt-right. The documentary premiered at AFI Docs in June 2020 and received generally favorable reviews from critics.
Why Watch
- •Meet Richard B. Spencer and his concerns post-Unite the Right rally.
- •Find out Mike Cernovich's lack of a clear agenda in the movement.
- •See Lauren Southern discuss misogyny in the alt-right.
Did You Know
•White Noise premiered at AFI Docs on June 20, 2020.
•The film has an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 30 reviews.
•Daniel Lombroso worked 'almost exclusively' on White Noise after 2017.
•White Noise was named one of the top documentaries of 2020 by Vox.
Perfect For
Alt-right movementDocumentary filmmakingPolitical activism